GLENN Hoddle today played down suggestions injury-hit Wolves were already too far adrift of the automatic promotion pace by insisting: "We just need to be in the hunt next March."

GLENN Hoddle today played down suggestions injury-hit Wolves were already too far adrift of the automatic promotion pace by insisting: "We just need to be in the hunt next March."

With almost a fifth of the season gone, Wolves will welcome Leicester to Molineux tomorrow nine points adrift of Championship leaders Sheffield United in the wake of Tuesday's disappointing home defeat by rock- bottom Millwall.

Despite a glut of injuries, particularly in midfield, Hoddle has called on his side to bounce back and snare the Foxes, insisting the league table will eventually look after itself.

"I'm not too worried about the gap," said Hoddle. "It's like the Grand National and there's plenty of time for the top sides to be dragged back when they hit a few hurdles.

"Automatic promotion is still our aim and that hasn't changed with eight games gone.

"I'd still be saying the same thing if we were in Sheffield United's position - there's a long long way to go and a lot of hurdles to get over.

"The business end of the season starts in March and that's really when you need the good fortune and to be free of injuries. But you've got to be in the hunt at that point.

"It's a hustle and a jostle and a fight at the moment to get into that position and that's what we've got to aim for.

"We've lost to Millwall, which was a shock to the system, but that's just one football match.

"The main thing is about how we bounce back, and if we can do that with a win tomorrow then we're back in the hunt."

Hoddle, who expects a physical challenge to be posed by Leicester, again looks likely to have to do without Kenny Miller, still struggling with the hip injury picked up on international duty.

With Darren Anderton now joining Paul Ince on the casualty list, and Mark Kennedy currently playing through the pain barrier of an Achilles problem, Hoddle is also considering the use of Jackie McNamara or Gabor Gyepes as his holding midfielder.

Whoever plays, it's all about bouncing back from the midweek disappointment.

"We had a team meeting after Millwall when everyone aired their views and now it's time to move on," said Hoddle.

"The players have to go out there, be big and bold and show enough character to perform."